Washington (CNN) - Democrats in Congress, already worried about their dim prospects in the 2010 midterm elections, have been thrown in a tizzy about something else that could reduce their majority: retirements.

They are four departures down and worried about more members leaving districts that have grown more competitive. And they're right to be concerned: Districts without any incumbent running often wind up switching to the other party.

But there's much more to worry about. Consider the results of a recent "open seat" special election for the state senate in a Democratic district in rural eastern Kentucky: Republican Jimmy Higdon beat the Democrat Jodie Haydon by tying him to, of all things, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats.

"Congress is out of control," one effective ad intoned, "and [Haydon] will bring Nancy Pelosi's one-party control of government to Frankfurt."

soundoff(46 Responses)

R.B.

The Health Care Bill is in essence a GOP bill. The GOP members say they hate it, that it's Obamacare-but given what the bill has been reduced to-the GOP TeaPartiers actually love it. They're just making a lot of noise and holding out for more nonreform reform provisions. It's called "tax and spin." Democrats aren't as smart at spin as the GOP claims they are. With few exceptions, Democrats are deer that herd like cats. They are neither good at offense or defense.

The bottom line is: why would anyone -Democrat or Republican or Independent -vote for a bill that will cost the taxpayers more money than simply doing nothing in the first place. I think the president derserves a lot of credit for trying to achieve health care reform with Congress acting like a ball and chain. It's congress that can't get it together. On the one hand, you have the GOP party of NO, and on the hand, you have the MAJORITY WIND THAT REFUSES TO BLOW. It's the battle royale of ineptitude: the Naysayers vs. the Everywhichway-sayers.

December 17, 2009 03:37 pm at 3:37 pm |

Mark

Libertarians are more worthless than conservatives and republican'ts. If they were in power, all they'd do is make GWB look like a noble and honest saint.

December 17, 2009 03:52 pm at 3:52 pm |

Michael

What do you mean "could" sour? I am a Democrat-Progressive Democrat, and this bill has turned into The Liebermann Litany for Lobbyists. The "Blue Dogs" will find that 2012 will bring their careers to an abrupt end. I am ashamed that these people say they belong to the same Party I do.
Next thing you know they'll be joing the brain-dead-baggers carrying posters with the President wearing swastikas or hammers and sickels.
When America gets her memory back and realizes this mess wasn't something President Obama made, these name-calling bigots will be put in their place--maybe a sanitarium!

December 17, 2009 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |

sifto77

What a joke that lefties are attempting to blame repubs for this debacle of a bill–Did you lefties know that the democrats have a majority? Nothing the repubs do can stop the bill–the democrats are fighting for power– and nothing else–among themselves and at your expense–the repubs were not even allowed in the room to help write the bill! Grow up and learn how congress is run–it is through power plays and arrogance.

December 17, 2009 03:55 pm at 3:55 pm |

Rob in Detroit Mi.

Thanks to the turn coats Lieberman ,nelson Lincoln,& the rest of the blue dogs ,the health care bill is dead Which means thanks too the Sen's i mentioned The insurance company's are getting richer.

sen's Lieberman,Lincoln ,Nelsoncaper,Bya,all blue dogs need to be voted out and replased by Liberal Dems.

December 17, 2009 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |

jenn

Oh for godsake–a state senate race in KY? Please. I wonder why CNN wasn't obsessing over the flip in NY-23 to Dem from Rep after 150 years? Hmmm, could it be because that doesn't fit the "exciting" media narrative of a President in crisis and a shakeup during the midterm elections? You people are so transparent sometimes...it's all about speculation, conflict, drama and ratings. Too bad "informing people in an objective manner" seems to have fallen by the wayside.

December 17, 2009 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |

ThinkAgain

All the GOP has to offer the American people is fear, hate, division and lies.

And there are way too many idiots out there who don't know squat about history, economics or even the First Amendment of our Constitution who are more than willing to blindly accept anything they hear on Fox News.

I'd like to ask all these yahoos: After 8 years of Bush &Cheney, were you and the world better or worse off? Obviously, we were all worse off ... and don't give me that "But they kept us safe" crap!

Bush & Cheney let 9/11 happen by ignoring everyone and everything (including a freakin' memo on August 9, 2001) that said al Qaeda was determined to attack us.

And what did they do? They let 9/11 happen, and then tried to convince us that Iraq was behind it so they could invade, be welcomed as liberators, take over the oil fields, with the eye to invade Iran next!

Why? Because that administration was totally foolish, naive, inept, greedy and incompetent, being lead by a bunch of Chicken hawks! And if you disagreed with them, you were called unpatriotic, godless and on the side of the terrorists!

Only a fool would believe all the nonsense the GOP has, is and always will be spouting!

December 17, 2009 04:09 pm at 4:09 pm |

J. Rochester, NY

People are getting sour because this Health Care bill has been destroyed to the point that it is nothing more than a law the forces people to buy insurance.
To hell with the GOP and the dirt bags like Lieberman who take money to enrich themselves at the expense of the American Public.

HEY JERKS!! There is a real problem out here in America and you have sold us out! PIGS!!! When are you rich enough?

December 17, 2009 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |

Tom in Jacksonville

I Now believe the the Repubs have total control of the House,and Senate.
The Healthcare Reform Bill is owned by the Repubes.
All of thier policies are there to appease them and it is now looking like a big Joke.
They have stripped everything out of the Bill that would make Insurance affordable for all, and force competition among Insurance company's
I give the Dem senators credit for trying to keep the public option, but when you have all the Repubes, preaching religion, outright Lying, and taking money from insurance company's, we are Screwed.
Way to go Jerks!

December 17, 2009 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |

Weenie Brown

I can't wait until 2008, so we can get rid of all those democrats.

December 17, 2009 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |

all the news that's fit to omit

First off to the liberal cowards do some research, the REPUBLICANS put out a bill that is a tenth of the size, would have cut cost and actually helped more LEGAL americans, but then Olbermann, Katie and BriBri and company didn't tell you that did they?

Those "teabaggers" as you 12 year olds call them, VOTE IN DROVES as they are elderly american citizens that have EARNED everything they have ever gotten and your heroes are cutting their medicare and MOCKING them, 2010 and 2012 is going to be a blood bath and you nitwit sheep are going to be left scratching your fool heads wondering "what went wrong".

Experiment brutally failed, see you in 2010 – part 1.

December 17, 2009 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |

a health economist

@ SocialismBad,

I hope you realize that our police/fire stations, roads, public schools, military, all forms of insurance, social security, medicare, medicaid, and many other aspects of our society function because of aspects of socialism. Are you saying they are all bad? I'm not sure about you, but I'd really not like to see privatized police/fire stations, roads, or military.

December 17, 2009 04:21 pm at 4:21 pm |

mary

I thought for sure this administration was going to get something done.
The watered down health care reform has changed nothing.
They took out public option and 55 buy in to medicare and now there is nothing left. We will just have to pay more for insurance.
I say all these senators that are over 55 should get their insurance taken away and see how it feels.
Lieberman, McCain and other old goats should be voted out of the office.
Lets get some fresh and younger senators that have new ideas.
Maybe than we can get something done

December 17, 2009 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

michael armstrong sr. TX.

Victory turned soar the moment this bill was introduced just fix the old bill this feuds is embaresing the Amearican resolve.

December 17, 2009 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

Dominican Mama 4 Obama (the real one)

And for you wishful- thinking-I-hope-they-forgot-how-we screwed-them- RethugliKlans the most you can hope for in the upcoming elections is that only the idiots come out to vote in 2010. Then you might pick up a few more seats where your fellow on-the-take party members will be able to be classless and useless at the same time by shouting during a Presidential speech, and voting NO TO EVERYTHING that might help the country.

December 17, 2009 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

JohnP

Democrats, even with their majority, still can't get it done. Blame your so-called leaders, including the one at the top. 2010 is right around the corner.

December 17, 2009 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

Deanna in Denver

once upon a horse:

I have been to MANY rallies in my community supporting Health Care Reform, the media just doesn't come out to cover them.

December 17, 2009 04:27 pm at 4:27 pm |

normajean

I don't understand you' do nothing " Republicans that are happy the Democrats bill is in trouble. Do ALL of you Republicans have health care? I mean ALL. Even those laid off from jobs or those who haven't had it any way. Isn't this a case of you having insurance so you don't care if the rest of your party do or not.? COLD man, real COLD.

December 17, 2009 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |

sickoflibs

Party Purity – "95% of families do not have health insurance now due to cost?" Where the hell did you get that number. It is more like 85% of americans DO have health coverage. It is the 15 or so % who this entire fiasco is focusing on. It will raise my premiums, which I do sacrafice other things to pay, in order to help someone else who is not willing to make that sacrafice. No Thanks, I will keep what I have.

December 17, 2009 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |

Laura, Boston

@Tom in Jacksonville:

I hate to bust your bubble but the Republicans are not the ruling party and haven't been since January 2007. I don't know how you can say it is owned by the Republicans when they have not been asked (even by the President) for ideas. They in fact did come up with a version that is actually readable, more cost effient and would give care to legal Americans.

Tell me why Tom the President keeps going up to the hill and goes behind closed doors with only the democratic Senators. The people who voted for Republican Senators deserve the President to address their needs as well. In fact, many voted for Obama and by dissing the Republicans he is in affect dissing the population of those states.

December 17, 2009 04:40 pm at 4:40 pm |

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA

This isn't the best bill. There are some good things in it. Still, without a string public option, you're basically giving the insurance companies more customers and no competition.